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A "Superformula" for Cancer

For my final semester I chose to do a Cancer biology and therapy module, and whilst being interesting it is not the most uplifting of subjects. Therefore whilst revising it was to my surprise that I stumbled upon this heart-warming story in between journal articles. A cancer clinic located in Sao Paulo, Brazil has teamed up with Warner Brothers to rebrand children's chemotherapy as a Superformula that creates superheroes. This Superformula is actually just a cover that attaches on top of the IV bags and each cover is emblazoned with a logo of a different Justice League member. This has the desired effect of encouraging the child's compliance with treatment whilst also providing them with hope and belief in the chemotherapy. Four different covers are available; Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman, each being accompanied by a specially written comic depicting each superhero undergoing a similar treatment to the children it is aimed at. The hospital ward where the children are treated is also decorated to mimic the Halls of Justice which are home to the Justice League and the little heroes have been given their own special entrance to the ward.

For a child having to face chemotherapy treatment it must be terrifying, therefore little things like this rebranding of treatment would make that prospect just that little bit less scary. It would also benefit their treatment by resulting in them protesting less whenever the time for chemotherapy came round again, because let's be honest who doesn't want to have super powers?

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